  Tools for 2008 Updates by Jurisdiction Maximize Your Incentives with EP Upcoming Appearances |
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   *NEW* The Essential Guide to U.S. & International Production Incentives, 2008, 2nd Edition, edited by Joseph Chianese, Marco Cordova, and Barbara Rosenfeld. Distribution will be at various events (see Happenings). Monthly Production Incentives Email Updates To sign up for our newsletter, please send your request to the EP Production Incentives Group. Recent Updates as of March 25th to website, including the "Basic Overview of U.S. and International Production Incentives" PDF. back to top |
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 NOTE THAT SEVERAL OTHER STATES ARE EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE NEW FILM INCENTIVE LEGISLATION. For more information on proposed legislation and additional incentives updates, visit the Recent Updates section. CANADA Bill C-10 is now before the Parliament. The Bill would enable the Federal Heritage Minister to disallow federal financing, including the 16% Canadian Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit, for film or television productions deemed "contrary to public policy." Additional guidelines are expected to be released from the Federal Heritage Minister. (See Canada Incentives Clarification) COLORADO The House Finance Committee voted NO on HB1355. The Bill would have provided motion picture and television production companies a transferable tax credit of up to 25% of the funds spent in Colorado during the production and offer substantial increase to the state's current film incentive package. MICHIGAN There are 16 bills currently pending in the Michigan legislature designed to create a broad program of production incentives. At the center is a refundable tax credit of 40% of direct expenditures in the state incurred after February 29, 2008. The credit is increased by 2% for use of locations in one of 103 "core communities." Eligible expenditures are defined broadly to include locally taxable transactions. There is a per person cap of $2,000,000 on eligible wages, but no other caps. There is no sunset provision, but the program is subject to annual review. To qualify, a "certified" production must spend at least $50,000 in the state on development, pre-production, production or post-production, including certain costs of distribution (trailers, etc.). The eligible production company must enter into an agreement with the Film Office, with the concurrence of the State Treasurer, and commence production within 90 days. Confidential information must be so designated to avoid disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. In addition, legislation is pending to introduce a low interest loan program, an investment tax credit and an infrastructure tax credit program as well as a workforce development rebate for hiring and training current Michigan crewmembers to a higher level. The bills are expected to pass in the third week of March, effective April 1, 2008. WASHINGTON The state legislature unanimously passed SSB 6423. The bill would allow the B&O tax credit to remain at a dollar for dollar amount rather than decreasing the credit to 90 percent starting in 2009, eliminates the $1 million per production cap, changes the investment requirement for TV commercials from $250,000 to $150,000, and modifies the governing board to staggered 4-year terms. Governor Gregoire is tentatively scheduled to take action on the bill later this month. WEST VIRGINIA The Governor is expected to sign into law Senate Bill 2215 the first week of April 2008. NOTE THAT SEVERAL OTHER STATES ARE EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE NEW FILM INCENTIVE LEGISLATION. For more information on proposed legislation and additional incentives updates, visit the Recent Updates section. back to top |
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 Entertainment Partners recently purchased a workers compensation policy from a Pennsylvania broker to help maximize your production incentives! More local policies to be announced soon! *  Entertainment Partners has an office in each of the following states to help maximize your production incentives (more to open soon!):California Connecticut Florida Illinois Louisiana ** Massachusetts New Mexico *** New York Pennsylvania South Carolina Utah |
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| * Entertainment Partners purchased a local workers compensation policy in Hawaii to help maximize your production incentives in the State. ** Entertainment Partners purchased a local workers compensation policy in Louisiana and hired a full-time account representative in the State to help maximize your production incentives. *** Entertainment Partners purchased a local workers compensation policy in New Mexico to help maximize your production incentives in the state (more local policies to be announced soon!). *** EP relocated one of its most experienced paymasters to its office in Albuquerque to service its New Mexico clients. *** EP New Mexico Production Incentives Packet available. For more information contact our EP Production Incentives Group. back to top |
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 AFCI Locations Trade Show April 10 - 12, 2008, EP will have a booth where representatives will be available to discuss and demonstrate EP products and various services provided by EP, including EP's production incentive advisory and related services which includes the EP Production Incentive Website and our newly updated The Essential Guide to U.S. & International Production Incentives, 2nd Edition. California Locations "Speed Dating" Breakfast Hosted by the California Film Commission in conjunction with Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS), EP will sponsor the breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 10, 2008. Loyola Law School's Soft Money 4 Conference EP will sponsor the Box Lunch and unveil the 2nd Edition of The Essential Guide to U.S. & International Production Incentives at Loyola Law School in Downtown Los Angeles on April 11, 2008. RIMS Annual Conference On April 29, 2008, EP will be presenting a panel taking an in-depth look at Tax Incentives from the Production Insurance point of view at the Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) Conference in San Diego. back to top |
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DISCLAIMER: These newsletter materials have been prepared by Entertainment Partners for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax advice nor relied upon specific projects. Though every effort has been made to remain current, laws and incentives change and therefore this information may have been revised. Please contact your legal or tax advisors to confirm any laws or the effect of incentives on your project. For updates and more information, please visit the Overview section of our website. |